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Updated forum rules/guidelines 8/4/2013

Posting in the Golf Monthly forum implies acceptance of the rules and guidelines as outlined below

General principles of the Golf Monthly forum

Be polite, respect peoples’ opinions

Criticise ideas, not users

It is your responsibility to know the rules and boundaries for acceptable behavior

Do not post public criticism or complaints about the Moderators on the Forum (see below for further information on how to make a complaint)

The following is not acceptable on the Golf Monthly forum

Posts that contain any sexist, racist, homophobic or sectarian content

Posts or PMs that are abusive to another forum member

Posts that contain swearing. This includes the use of asterisked out swear words

Posts that include flaming or trolling (i.e. deliberately picking fights with other members)

Posts that are spam - i.e. posts or messages that are purely posted in a bid to trying to promote or sell services or products

Deliberately posting off topic messages in the incorrect sub-forum

Infractions
Deliberately breaking rules and/or ignoring guidelines may result in infractions being issued to users. Infractions carry points and the accumulation of points may result in a temporary or even permanent ban form the forum. Any user with a current infraction against their name will not be eligible for any forum opportunities. The points system is outlined below. In exceptional circumstances Golf Monthly staff may decide to issue an immediate temporary or permanent. If you receive and infraction (or a ban) you will also receive an email or PM outlining why you have been issued with the infraction (ban).

Forum Etiquette 2 Points, Expires 28 days
Such as Continually posting non golf topics outside of the Out of Bounds area or trying to sell goods outside the for sale section and turning members for sale threads into discussions.

Commercial Activity - 3 Points, Expires 45 days
Using The Forum to promote your business or the business of a friend/associate, without prior permission from Golf Monthly.

Inappropriate Language (swearing) - 3 Points, Expires 45 days
This one is quite self explanatory and the most commonly broken of the GM rules.

Insulted Other Member(s) - 3 Points, Expires 90 days
This can be a direct insult against 1 individual member or a general blanket insult, which is directed towards a group of members.

Defamation - 6 Points, Expires 90
Any intentional false communication, either written or spoken, that harms a person's reputation; decreases the respect, regard, or confidence in which a person is held; or induces disparaging, hostile, or disagreeable opinions or feelings against a person.

Unacceptable Conduct/Behavior - 6 Points, expires 90 days
This infraction covers many areas, from the posting of explicit photos to starting threads with the sole purpose to start an argument (known as Flaming). It also includes the posting of any sexist, racist, homophobic or sectarian content

Ignoring Previous Advice - 8 Points, Expires 180 days
If you have had a previous warning, infraction or been advised of how to follow the rules, then proceed to ignore that advice then this is the infraction will be is issued. It is the most severe infraction as it is deemed that you have had things explained and therefore has no excuses.

Bans
The method by which a member becomes banned via infractions happens automatically through the forum software. Once a member reaches a certain number of points they become banned for a specific time period. However if a member receives 5 active infractions at once they become banned for 1 month.

Points/bans

10 Points = 1 week ban

15 Points = 2 week ban

20 Points = 3 week ban

5 Infractions Total = 1 month ban.

Example
Member A swears in a post and receives a 3-point infraction that will run for 45 days, He also received a PM from a moderator explaining why he has been infracted.
If within the next 45 days he repeats the offence, he will receive an infraction for ignoring previous advice, This carries 8 points and would trigger a 7-day ban, As he has accumulated 10 points or more .
As the 8-point infraction lasts 12 months, any further infractions during this time would trigger further bans.

In extreme circumstances it may be necessary to consider a permanent ban, this action is taken with reference to Golf Monthly staff. The only exception is in the case of a user who it is believed has joined the forum just for the purposes of spamming the Forum – they can be banned immediately.

Moderators
Moderators are appointed by Golf Monthly. They are unpaid volunteers and abide by the Moderator Guidelines set down by Golf Monthly.

To ensure the forum rules and guidelines are adhered to by forum members and that the ‘reputation of the forum’ (see below) is not compromised

To move posts to the correct sub forum if they have been posted incorrectly

If necessary lock or remove a post/thread if in the moderators opinion it is unsuitable for any of the forums listed on the GM site

To issue infractions if rules and guidelines are broken

To alert GM staff to any issues that they feel they do not have the authority to deal with

A lot of issues the moderators have to deal with are a case of judgment. Golf Monthly asks them to act on the side of caution so even if you think what you have posted is OK it doesn’t mean they will. Moderators don’t get it right every time but the like everyone on here they are human so prone to mistakes. If they make one it’s done in good faith.

Post public criticism about the Moderators on the Forum is expressly prohibited. If you have an issue with the actions of one or more moderators email Golf Monthly editor Mike Harris (michael_harris@ipcmedia.com) with your grievance

Forum Reputation
The website and its forum is operated by Golf Monthly, an IPC Media brand. It does not reflect well on Golf Monthly and IPC Media if either potential new forumers who are considering joining in, or commercial partners who advertise/are considering advertising view the forum and see threads and posts that include breaches of forum rules and/or guidelines. Members of the forum often benefit from exclusive opportunities for equipment testing and to attend events. These opportunities will only be offered to Golf Monthly (and on to users) if it is felt that the forum is a respectable community of golfers. Anything that changes that perception will damage the ‘Forum Reputation’ and as such will be treated extremely seriously.